Wildcard Weekend Picks!

The NFL's second season is here, and the wildcard round gets going this weekend with four interesting matchups. Saturday has the Saints at Seattle in the early game, and the Jets at Indy in primetime. Sunday's games have Baltimore heading to Kansas City early, with Green Bay at Philly in the late afternoon. There are a couple of things to remember heading into the wildcard round: 1) At least one road team usually wins 2) At least two of the four games will be good, the other two won't be as competitive 3) We really have no idea how this weekend is going to play out. That brings me to my bigger point. The NFL Playoffs have become like the NCAA Tournament: A crapshoot. In 2005, the Steelers were a six seed and won three road games on their way to the Super Bowl. In 2007, the Giants did the same exact thing. Neither team was exactly on a real hot streak entering the playoffs. In 2008, the Cardinals got hot and won three NFC playoff games on their way to the Super Bowl. They were 9-7 and playing terrible down the stretch of the regular season. Last year, the Jets were a 9-7 wildcard team only because their last two opponents, Indy and Cincy, rested their starters the last two games. What happened when the Jets got into the playoffs? They went on the road and won at Cincy and upset San Diego. Anything can happpen because it is a one game scenario. Forget about who is hot going into the playoffs it really doesn't matter. Just look at the game and that specific matchup and once a team wins one game, everything goes out the window and you start fresh in the next round. I would expect more of the same this playoff season. The fun begins with Wildcard Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.


Onto to the picks........

Final Regular Season Record: 130-119-9

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

New Orleans (-9) over SEATTLE:

Why I like the Saints: They are the better team. I know they are banged up, but all you need is DrewBrees at the controls, and the Saints should be fine. They are the defending Super Bowl Champions, and they will not feel any pressure on the road at Qwest Field.

A Case for Seattle: Really, the only thing the Seahawks have going for them is that they are at home. Eventhough that stadium is a tough place to play, they got bombed quite a few times there already this season (NYG and KC).

Final Score: New Orleans-27 Seattle-17

INDY (-2) over New York Jets:

Why I like the Colts: They have Peyton Manning as their QB. I know the Colts are banged up, and their defense isn't playing that well, but as long as Manning is back there, I can't bet against them. They played basically four straight playoff games to get into the playoffs, and they have been here before. Joseph Addai will help their running game, and Manning will find the weak spots in the Jet defense and exploit it. Plus, I'm not sold on Rex Ryan's shaky in game management or Mark Sanchez.

A Case for the Jets: Maybe it is destiny for the Jets to go through Manning to get to the Super Bowl this year. The Jets Special Teams could be a huge advantage in this game. Mark Sanchez could also make plays on this Colts defense. The Jets corners can take away a lot of what Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon want to do. This Colts team is not the same as the team (Injuries to Dallas Clark and Austin Collie)that the Jets played in last year's AFC Championship. The Jets played three road games last year, so they shouldn't play tight. Maybe, just maybe, this is finally the Jets year.

Final Score: The Jets seemed to get lucky breaks all season long, but their luck might have run out when Indy won last week and KC lost, forcing the Jets to go to Indy in round one. I had a feeling that the Jets season was going to be boom or bust: Super Bowl or no playoffs. Well, they got into the playoffs, but I don't see this team going to the Super Bowl. They could easily win this game, but I won't take my chances against Peyton Manning.

Colts-27- Jets-23

Baltimore (-2) over KANSAS CITY:

Why I Like the Ravens: They can stop KC's running game and make Matt Cassel beat them, which plays right into their hands. The Ravens have been here before and know how to win on the road in the playoffs. Overall, they just have the better team, and won't be affected by the noise in Arrowhead.

A Case for the Chiefs: They are at home, and Arrowhead Stadium will be rocking on Sunday. They haven't won a playoff game since 1993, so they are due. The Chiefs are underdogs and could play the whole "No One Respects Us" angle. If they get their running game going, watch out.

Final Score: This game will be closer than people think. I expect the Chiefs to play very well at the beginning of the game. The Ravens will get the Chiefs' best shot, but I just don't think it will be enough. The Ravens will do enough to win this game.

Ravens-20 Chiefs-17

PHILLY (-2) over Green Bay:

Why I Like the Eagles: I think Mike Vick will have one of his patented off the chart type of games. He will make big plays in the passing game, and he will use his legs to make some critical third downs. He is the X-factor in this game, and the Eagles will live and die with him. I think he has 2002 Mike Vick in him for this one (Remember that one Packer fans). I think the Eagles are due for a big effort. They haven' t played well the last two weeks, and this is actually their third home game in a row.

A Case for the Packers: If Aaron Rodgers doesn't get a concussion in Week 13, then the Pack are probably the 2 seed in the NFC right now. This team could make a Super Bowl run. Rodgers is that good of a QB to win three games on the road. Their passing game is portable, and their defense is very solid. I could see them smothering Vick and slowing down the Eagle offense. Then, watch Rodgers just pick apart the suspect Eagle defense.

Final Score: My heart is telling me to pick the Packers, but something just tells me that Vick will lead the Eagles to victory. Somehow and someway Vick is going to do something to break the hearts of the Packer fans. This should be a close game, and a great setting on Sunday. I'll go with the Eagles late.

Eagles-26 Packers-22